Membership

Webinars

This course provides in-depth discussions of current trends and challenges associated with molecular diagnostic methods as they are used and encountered in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Specifically, the course will address issues related to laboratory design/workflow for molecular testing, quality control/assurance programs and proficiency testing, verification and implementation of multiplex tests, quantitative assays and standards, mass spectrometry, and cost analysis. The course will end by highlighting the many technological advances occurring in the field and their potential applications in clinical microbiology.

This course is available as both a live webinar on the presentation date listed for the course. To participate in the webinar you must be in the United States or Canada. This course is also available as a webcast which can be viewed on demand once the live webinar has occurred.

Accreditation Information: This course is also available for continuing education, see the courses description for more information.

This course is no longer available.

This course is for beginners in the field of molecular testing and is intended to provide an introduction to molecular biology and an explanation of molecular diagnostic methods as they are used and encountered in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Participants will learn the basic nucleic acid chemistries and molecular amplification technologies and will gain knowledge of different topics related to molecular diagnostic testing.

Clinical Microbiology laboratories are experiencing a new era of
healthcare delivery, in which cost containment and test utilization are under the microscope
like never before. This session will focus on important factors that laboratory professionals
should consider when 1) planning to implement a new test, 2) purchasing reagents and equipment,
3) organizing laboratory workflow, and 4) guiding proper test utilization.

Following this session, the participants should be able to:

1. Describe 1-2 ways to reduce cost in the clinical laboratory.

2. Discuss how the clinical laboratory plays an important role in test utilization.

3. Define the factors that are critical in determining whether to bring in a new test or purchase new equipment.

Continuing Education

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.

This topic will discuss application of MALDI-TOF beyond routine
identification of bacteria and yeast. Topics will include a brief discussion of mold identification,
mycobacterial identification, resistance testing, and strain typing using MALDI-TOF.

3. Discuss application of MALDI-TOF to identification of moulds and mycobacteria.

Continuing Education

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.

Traditional methods for identification of microorganisms have relied on
phenotypic profiling. MALDI-TOF MS is a rapid and inexpensive method for the identification of
most bacteria and yeast encountered in clinical laboratories. This session will describe the
principle, technique, benefits, and limitations of MALDI-TOF MS for microorganism identification.

Following this session, the participants should be able to:

1. Describe the principal of MALDI-TOF MS for microorganism identification.

2. Discuss the advantages and limitations of MALDI-TOF MS for identification of microorganisms recovered in culture.

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.

The presentation will outline methods used to quantify pathogens present
in a specimen. Assay calibration strategies and preparation of calibration materials will be discussed,
including benefits and pitfalls of each method. An overview of quantitative result interpretation
will be given, and recommendations for maintaining quality control of quantitative assays will be
reviewed.

Following this session, the participants should be able to:

1. Describe how calibration materials are used in quantitative assays.

2. Understand methods used to monitor the quality of control materials and standards used in quantitative assays.

3. Understand how to interpret and to determine the significance of quantitative assay results.

Continuing Education

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.

The detection of blood stream infections is one of the most important
functions of the clinical microbiology laboratory. Using traditional culture-based organism
identification and susceptibility testing techniques, the typical turnaround time is one to
three days after the blood culture signals positive for growth. A number of diagnostic assays
have been developed to reduce the interval to organism identification and/or susceptibility
testing for positive blood cultures. This session will describe a number of these technologies
as well as the potential clinical impact of this testing.

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.

The goal of this session is to review the current state of molecular
detection of gastrointestinal pathogens. Advantages and disadvantages of using molecular techniques
for routine diagnosis of gastrointestinal infections will be discussed. Particular attention will
be paid to the impact on public health initiatives and outbreak investigations.

Following this session, the participants should be able to:

1. Recall at least one advantage of using molecular testing for diagnosing gastrointestinal infections.

2. State at least one challenge associated with molecular detection of gastrointestinal pathogens.

3. Recognize the impact that discontinuing bacterial stool cultures has on public health investigations.

Continuing Education

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.

The goal of this session is to review the currently available commercial
assays for multiplex detection of respiratory viruses. Available assays will be reviewed, including
performance and workflow data. Further, advantages and disadvantages of using molecular techniques
for the routine diagnosis of respiratory viral infections will be discussed.

Following this session, the participants should be able to:

1. List at least two molecular platforms for the multiplex detection of respiratory viruses.

3. Cite one disadvantage of using molecular testing to diagnose respiratory viral infections.

Continuing Education

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.

Method verification is an integral component of good laboratory practice.
This session will focus on the CLIA-requirements for verification of FDA-approved and non-FDA
approved/laboratory developed tests. Specifically, information and examples on methods for
verification of highly multiplexed molecular tests will be discussed.

2. Describe the performance characteristics that must be verified prior to the implementation of a FDA-approved test.

3. Describe the performance characteristics that must be established prior to the implementation of a laboratory developed test, or modified FDA-approved test.

Continuing Education

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.

Participants will be introduced to basic principles of quality systems
for molecular microbiology laboratories. Topics will include standard practices for quality control,
quality assurance, and laboratory proficiency. Examples of strategies used in molecular laboratories
will be described.

Following this session, the participants should be able to:

1. Describe the difference between quality control and quality assurance

2. Describe options for trend analysis of key analyte controls

3. List key sources of proficiency materials and describe a molecular proficiency plan for analytes that cannot be purchased.

Continuing Education

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.

Appropriate design and workflow are major considerations for any molecular diagnostic laboratory. Historically, the physical plan of a molecular
laboratory centered firmly on preventing amplicon contamination and necessitated distinct and separate work spaces or individual rooms for sample processing, reagent
preparation, nucleic acid extraction, and detection and analysis of amplified targets. With the evolution of molecular technology over the years, the more traditional
molecular laboratory blueprint is now giving way to different designs with more adaptable physical features.

Following this session, the participants should be able to:

1. Discuss the design and workflow of a molecular diagnostic laboratory.

2. Define space and resource options and provide insight into the physical location of the molecular laboratory based on choice of technology and test menu.

3. Describe the selection and implementation of good laboratory practices in the molecular laboratory.

Continuing Education

Each presentation is approved for .5 P.A.C.E.® credit. CE credits can only be claimed by the purchaser. ASM is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. All presentations are recognized by the Florida Department of Health and qualify for Florida CE credit toward license renewal.